Peatland Transformation: Land Cover Changes and Driving Factors in the Kampar Peninsula (1990–2020)

Dian Novarina (), Jatna Supriatna, Iman Santoso and Mahawan Karuniasa
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Dian Novarina: School of Environmental Science, University of Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia
Jatna Supriatna: Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Indonesia, Depok 16424, Indonesia
Iman Santoso: Association of Indonesia Forest Concession Holders, South Jakarta 12220, Indonesia
Mahawan Karuniasa: School of Environmental Science, University of Indonesia, Jakarta 10430, Indonesia

Land, 2024, vol. 13, issue 10, 1-20

Abstract: The Kampar Peninsula, spanning approximately 735,091 hectares, is critical for its carbon reserves and biodiversity, including the endangered Sumatran tiger. However, nearly half of the 4 million hectares of peat swamp in the region is deforested, drained, decomposing, or burning, largely due to settlements and development projects. This research employs a mixed-method approach, using quantitative spatial analysis of Landsat imagery from 1990 to 2020 based on the Spectral Mixture Analysis (SMA) model to detect forest disturbances and classify land cover changes, utilizing the Normalized Difference Fraction Index (NDFI). Ground truthing validates the image interpretation with field conditions. Additionally, qualitative analysis through interviews and regulatory review examines spatial change trends, context, and driving factors. The result showed, over 30 years, that natural forest in the Kampar Peninsula decreased significantly from 723,895.30 hectares in 1990 to 433,395.20 hectares in 2020. The primary factors driving land use changes include the construction of access roads by oil companies in 1975, leading to extensive deforestation, and government policies during the New Order period that issued forest exploitation concessions and promoted transmigration programs, resulting in widespread establishment of oil palm and acacia plantations.

Keywords: Kampar Peninsula; peatland; NDFI; spatial analysis; Riau Province (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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